LG refrigerator not cooling: defrost, fans, and the demo-mode trap
The freezer still makes ice but the fresh-food compartment sits at room temperature, or both compartments drift warm while the compressor keeps running.
Independent service reference
Every LGfault code,decoded.
A field-manual for LG appliances. Look up the code on the display, follow the bench procedure, and know before you call whether it is a ten-minute filter clean or a board replacement.
LG · DIAGNOSTIC READOUT
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- fault codes indexed
- 79
- repair procedures
- 11
- appliance families
- 8
- REV 2026.07
- Codes vary by model year and platform. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number before ordering parts.
Fast lookup
Start with the appliance in front of you.
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Washing machines
Front load, top load and WashTower. Drain faults, fill faults, bearings and balance.
4 procedures · 19 codesDRDryers
Vented, condenser and heat-pump. Airflow restriction is behind most of it.
1 procedures · 12 codesRFRefrigerators
French door, side-by-side and InstaView. Defrost, fans, linear compressors.
1 procedures · 13 codesDWDishwashers
QuadWash and TrueSteam. Leak sensors, spray arms, drain pumps.
1 procedures · 10 codesACAir conditioners
Split, multi-split and Artcool. CH codes, sensors and inverter boards.
1 procedures · 16 codesOVOvens & ranges
Electric, gas and ProBake. Temperature sensors, igniters, touch panels.
1 procedures · 5 codesMWMicrowaves
Countertop, OTR and NeoChef. Door interlocks, keypads, magnetrons.
1 procedures · 4 codesVCVacuums
CordZero and R9 robots. Battery health, brush jams, filter loss of suction.
1 procedures · 0 codesMost-searched codes
The eight that account for most call-outs.
OEOutlet error: the machine could not empty the tub within the allowed drain window.Drain pump filter behind the bottom access flap, then the drain hose for a kink or a high loop.IEInlet error: the tub did not reach its target water level within roughly eight minutes.Both taps fully open, then the inlet screens inside the hose couplings at the machine.UEUnbalanced load: the drum could not distribute the load evenly enough to spin.Redistribute the washing by hand, then confirm all four feet are locked and the machine does not rock.dEDoor error: the control never saw the door lock confirm before the cycle started.Push the door firmly shut; check for laundry trapped in the seal and for a worn striker.LELocked motor error: the rotor could not turn, or the Hall sensor lost track of it.Empty the drum and spin it by hand. Grinding or a hard stop points at bearings or a trapped item.d80Exhaust duct is about 80% restricted: the dryer is warning, not stopping.Lint screen first, then the flexible hose behind the machine: it crushes when pushed back.Er FFFreezer fan error: the evaporator fan is not reaching its commanded speed.Ice around the fan blade jamming it. Melt it fully before you replace the motor.OF FDemo / showroom mode is on: the lights and display work but nothing cools. Not a fault.Hold Ice Plus (or Refrigerator) and Freezer together for five seconds to exit demo mode.AEAqua error: the base float has detected a leak and the machine locked out.Tip the machine back 45°: any water that runs out confirms the base tray is wet.CH05Communication error between indoor and outdoor units.Interconnect terminal block at the outdoor unit, loose or corroded wire 3 is the classic cause.
Bench procedures
Step-by-step, tool list first, safety band on top.
LG dryer d80, d90 and d95: restoring airflow through the whole duct run
Clothes take two or three cycles to dry, the drum smells hot, and d80, d90 or d95 appears near the end of the cycle.
LG washing machine IE error: why the tub will not fill
The cycle starts, the drum turns briefly, then everything stops and IE (or 1E) appears. No water, or a trickle that never fills.
From the journal
Maintenance, teardowns and buying notes.
LG Washer Vibrating After Installation: Level, Feet, and Floor Checks
Diagnose LG washer vibration after installation with measured checks for leveling, shipping bolts, feet adjustment, and floor stability.
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LG Refrigerator Freezer Frost Buildup: Door Seals, Drain, and Defrost Checks
Diagnose LG freezer frost by pattern, then check the door gasket, drawer alignment, drain path, and defrost system before replacing parts
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LG Refrigerator Making Noise: Fans, Compressor, and Vibration Checks
A measured guide to LG refrigerator noises, showing how to separate normal sounds from fan, compressor, and vibration problems.
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LG Washer Not Heating Water: Heater, Sensor, and Control Checks
A measured guide to LG washer temperature problems, including heater resistance, thermistor readings, wiring checks, and repair limits
ReadBefore you start
The questions that come up on every call-out.
Does an error code always mean something is broken?
No. Several LG codes are informational. tCL is the machine asking for its Tub Clean cycle, LOC is the control lock, and OF F on a refrigerator is showroom mode, which lights the display but never runs the compressor. Confirm what the code means before you order a part.
Why does the same code have several different causes?
Most LG codes report a timeout, not a component. OE means the tub was not empty inside the drain window, so anything that slows water down produces it: a blocked filter, a kinked hose, a tired pump, or a clogged pressure tube. That is why the fix is a sequence rather than a guess.
Where is the model number, and why does it matter?
On a washer or dryer it is on the door frame or under the lid; on a refrigerator it is usually inside on the left wall. It is not a serial number: it encodes capacity, platform and market. The regional suffix decides whether a part fits, which is the difference between a part that bolts on and one you cannot return.
Which repairs should I not attempt myself?
Anything behind sealed refrigerant, a gas supply, or a microwave high voltage section. A microwave capacitor holds a lethal charge after the appliance is unplugged, and sealed system and gas work are legally restricted in most countries. Filters, hoses, ducts, seals and door switches are ordinary owner maintenance.
Is this official LG documentation?
No. LG WashFix is an independent reference and is not affiliated with or endorsed by LG Electronics. Codes and procedures vary by model year and platform, so always confirm against the manual for your exact model number before ordering parts or dismantling anything.
When is it no longer worth repairing?
Judge it on which component failed rather than on price alone. A pump, a door switch or a heater on a clean eight-year-old machine is usually worth doing. Drum bearings, a sealed system leak, or a control board on an older appliance often approach replacement cost once labour is counted.